From one to two
You cannot confuse
You twirl
Twist
Dance amidst
Those that
Are complicated

Long hard years
Have caused them
Confusion
Pain
Sadness

Love
Happiness
Compassion

You watch with your
Glowing eyes
Smile
With your tiny teeth

Cry
When you feel blue
Tug
When you demand a hug

And soon you want to be
Just like them
Older
Wiser
Smarter

From five to six
Dolls and pink
No more blankie
Well maybe
Just one more night

School has begun
Coloring masterpieces
Hanging on the fridge
Life is greater
More complex

The adults keep talking
Spelling out
Mystifying words
That you are not allowed to say

S-T-U-P-I-D
That’s what they call you
At the playground in school

And you push through
Each birthday
More candles and cake
More presents
And singing
And joy

You no longer want to be six
You want to be
Older
Wiser
Smarter

From fourteen to fifteen
Life’s a struggle
Middle school has come
And gone

Schoolwork begins to pile on
Teachers demand more and more
Why me?
A new phrase used frequently

And soon you feel 
Older
Wiser
Smarter

You write ten page essays
Spend hours on homework
And wake up before the sun

And soon after that
You go to college
You get a job
You file taxes

And soon after that
You get married
You have a baby

And from one to two
That baby looks at you
With glowing eyes
And tiny teeth

Long hard years
Have caused
Confusion
Pain
Sadness

Love
Happiness
Compassion

That baby does not know it yet
But soon
They will want to be
Older
Wiser
Smarter
Just like you.